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South Pacific

ROLE: To work alongside a local vet and help treat and care for dogs and cats

TYPES OF PLACEMENT: Veterinary clinic

ACCOMMODATION: Host family

PRICE: From

WHAT’S INCLUDED? Food, accommodation, transfers to and from our specified airport and from work where required, insurance, personal webpage, induction and orientation, 24/7 support

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED? Flights, visa costs, spending money

LENGTH OF PLACEMENT: From 1 week

START DATES: Flexible

Volunteer with Projects Abroad on the Combined Veterinary Medicine & Animal Care Project in Samoa and learn more about animal healthcare, population control, and the importance of community awareness in a developing country. The project is based in Samoa’s capital, Apia, and volunteers are placed at a veterinary clinic to observe a professional vet and work on various tasks.

This project is recommended for students of all ages considering a career in veterinary medicine, qualified vets, or animal lovers looking to give back. Your time at the project will expose you to a wide range of experiences in a clinical setting and we encourage volunteers to learn as much as they can from the professional vets working there. This experience is an invaluable addition to your CV and will enhance your practical knowledge.

Projects Abroad is partnered with an animal welfare organisation in Samoa working mainly with cats and dogs. The organisation was created by a group of dedicated individuals to meet the urgent need for animal healthcare of these domestic animals. Previously, there had been no structured organisation focused on animal health and welfare. The major focus of our partner organisation is on managing dog and cat populations around Samoa through sterilising animals and running educational workshops in local communities.

As a Veterinary Medicine & Animal Care volunteer in Samoa, you will work with our partner organisation to encourage a reduced and healthy Samoan dog and cat population. The activities you get involved with will depend on your skills, qualifications, and interests, and will include:

Awareness programmes for local communities

Vaccinations

Sterilisation programmes

Dog-training classes

Routine consultations with pet owners

Your role with regard to raising awareness will be to help develop and deliver educational seminars to a range of community and school groups, predominantly in and around Apia.

There will be occasions where you are also required to assist with the general running of the organisation. This could include animal care work (such as cleaning kennels and feeding animals), administrative tasks, and cleaning the clinic. Your service and dedication to the project will be invaluable to the animal welfare organisation as they strive to grow and improve the quality of life for domestic animals in Samoa.

"Another key element of the [project] was its interaction with school children; one of the staff at the centre would go out to local primary schools and educate the kids on proper behaviour around animals. I thought this was absolutely beautiful and the engagement from the kids was incredible. With songs and stories it was all so well thought out and age appropriate and I really hope it has a long term impact"

Some of the media Projects Abroad has featured in: The Times, The Guardian, EL DIARIO, San Francisco Chronicle, Newsweek, Ok! Magazine, The New York Times, The Vancouver Sun, ELLE, BBC, CNBC, Travel and Leisure, BusinessWeek, The Irish Times